Minutemen defeat Elon, 85-67, for season-opening victory

Jeff Bernstein/CollegianChaz Williams takes it to the rim against Elon defenders at UMass' home opener last Friday.

For the second straight year, I didn't get a chance to catch the Minutemen's opening game of the season. And, for the second year in a row, I didn't get to see them cruise to victory.

On Friday night, the Minutemen successfully defeated Elon, 85-67, from the Curry Hicks Cage -- the historic UMass basketball arena where the team used to play before moving over to the Mullins Center.

By watching highlights and seeing photos, it did not seem like too bad of a game. This is coming from a blogger who used to be on the men's basketball beat, and had to crane his neck to get a glimpse of the action on the other end of the field.

As anticipated, the Minutemen shared a lot of the scoring. Chaz Williams, a newcomer who had to sit out last season, led the way with 18 points and eight assists in his debut. Not bad for a newcomer.

UMass used a 21-4 run in the second half to take care of Elon. Seeing such a fast-paced run in a building that the Minutemen have only played in twice in 18 years, must have been a spectacle to witness.

This game, even though I wasn't there for it, has got me excited for the men's basketball season. I know it's early, I know it's too soon to tell, but it still has me, an objective reporter, excited to cover something that could soon turn into a miracle season.

Herb Scribner is a Daily Collegian Sports Editor. Follow him on Twitter @hscribner.